The GLOBE Climate Legislation Study

On 27 February 2014, the Global Legislators Organisation (GLOBE International) released the 4th edition of the GLOBE Climate Legislation Study – produced in partnership with the Grantham Research Institute at the London School of Economics. The Study is the most comprehensive audit of climate legislation across 66 countries, together responsible for around 88% of global manmade greenhouse gas emissions. The new study (4th edition) was formally launched at the 2nd GLOBE Climate Legislation Summit held at the Senate of the United States of America and at the World Bank in Washington DC on 27th-28th February 2014.

Key Messages from the 4th edition:

Almost 500 climate laws have been passed in the 66 countries covered by the study; the direction of travel is clear; and Encouragingly, it is developing countries and emerging markets, which are advancing climate change laws and regulation at the fastest pace.

Even though the legislative progress is impressive, the cumulative ambition of these laws is not yet sufficient to limit global average temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the agreed goal of the international community.

In order for a successful outcome in Paris in 2015 there is now extreme urgency to strengthen commitments, and for countries that have not yet passed climate change laws and/or regulations to do so.

Countries included in the 4th edition:

Click on the pins on the world map above to access country-specific extracts from the study.

Key Findings:

In 2013 there was substantive legislative progress in 8 countries (passage of "flagship legislation") and positive advances in a further 19 countries.Key progress in 2013 includes:

Americas:

Bolivia passed its Framework Law on Mother Earth and Integral Development to Live Well;

El Salvador adopted its National Climate Change Strategy;

In Ecuador, Decree 1815 established the Intersectoral National Strategy for Climate Change;

and in Costa Rica a draft General Law on Climate Change has been introduced and is expected to pass in 2014.